Allowing Little Surprises and Big Dreams to Come True

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Celebration, Happiness, HappyCouple, Having fun, Ideas for celebration, Ideas for weekend away, love, rome

Raff and I have always been of an opinion that life is there for joy and pleasure and not for stress and frustration. To be completely honest, Raff has lived by this principle all his life, but I have only learnt from him in the recent couple of years. Apparently, life appears to be much easier than I’d always imagined, and living in ”today” is not such a bad habit in the end. I am not saying we don’t care about the future, even the opposite – we plan more accurately than ever and make everything we want happen, while avoiding anxiety and fear of disappointment.

I used to think life was unfair when I didn’t have everything I desired right there and then. While now I know that I am already doing everything to get that what I want, therefore I don’t need to worry, because I will definitely get there one day, just need some patience.

Applying this approach to life, we like making our married life more fun and adventure, we try to make sure each of us receives what he likes the most (or as least 4 times a week if you know what I mean 🙂 ). Sometimes compromise is easy to find, but at times, we might need to try harder.
Our recent trip to Rome proved to be a great deal for both of us. We planned it a few months in advance and I was so looking forward to it, or better say we both were looking forward, but just to two different things. Raff was getting what he likes most – plenty of Italian wine and food, and I had to go to my favourite Italian band’s concert and practice Italian language.

It was a very short 2 days trip, that’s why we agreed on all the places we would go to and how we’d spend our time and, as the result, we both got the most out of this trip! Even though slightly tiring, it was a fantastic dream coming true and we are happy we allow such mini-breaks from the usual environment, because it makes life what it is – variety, freedom, amusement and discovery.

What about 150 flavours of an ice-cream! 🙂

Olga happycoupleuk.com

Summer is Coming. Time For Joy and Play in Sunshine!

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Cycling, Having fun, Ideas for weekend away, Romantic holiday, Spontaneity, Weekend in London

Being an organized person, I rarely let any spontaneity in my life let along our family life. Usually all weekends are planned months in advance and it is even hard to squeeze a long Sunday sleep in. However, last weekend I was yet again reassured how nice it is to let go of any plans, appointments and rush, and do whatever I feel like in the current moment, depending on my mood, the weather outside or anything else affecting me right now. I might decide to do nothing at all if I wish so. What kind of freedom is that! No pressure, no obligations, no regrets! Loving it.

Taking about the weather, London is a unique place where sun is almost a treasure. It doesn’t shine very often but if it does – you better make sure you enjoy it outdoors. Whether it is a picnic with friends or quiet book reading at the park bench, or even lunch outside of the office during a working day. All counts!

I cannot say Raff and I are very active people. We love all kind of activities but have no outdoors hobby or passion in particular. I was always jealous in a way of the couples who climb mountains together, run marathons or cycle for miles across the country. On another hand, I am happy we are in this together, meaning we both agree being lazy and prefer “mild” approach to our free time spending. Therefore, when we choose to do anything slightly more active than usual – it is pleasure and excitement for both of us.

Last weekend we went on a bike tour of our neighbourhood. Shame on us, living in this area for a year, we haven’t explored it yet in details. It was too far to walk, maybe… 🙂 Finally we dusted off our bikes and spend the whole day cycling along the canals and Thames, stopping in a couple of parks and enjoying the sun. Obviously, now we decided to do it more often! Let’s see where it takes us.

A couple of weeks ago we ended up walking around London in search of mini-statues of Shaun the Sheep. A bit too childish – that’s my part, I need to reconnect with my inner child, you know 🙂 With a few beer and cocktail stops, this trip turned into a fun adventure we both enjoyed and felt silly about.

The point is whatever it is you prefer doing, your own style is what matters. It builds up your family individuality with your own little traditions and habits that make married life more joyful, relaxed and sustainable.

Going on vacation? Makes sure to pack your romance with you!

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Ideas for celebration, Ideas for holiday, Ideas for weekend away, Romantic holiday, Vacation tips

When going on vacation, what is your typical packing set? I bet, like most people, you would think about it in advance and consider buying all the missing bits and pieces, like little shampoo or your favourite shower gel. But, what if this was a romantic trip, short weekend away (maybe leaving kids at home) or a paradise holiday with your darling. You have been looking forward to this for a while now, and everything seems ready. Well, but have you thought about romantic side of it yet? What about arranging a surprise, once you are over there?

Yes, it can be a candlelit dinners, moonlight walks and nightlong talks. Sounds too familiar? Add a naughty side to it, give it a fresh spark, and consider something unusual. Unless you already bought tickets to “50 Shades of Grey”, try to create your own scenario, become the hero and heroine on your own.
Make sure you pack a couple of naughty toys in your suitcase. Obviously, if you are a woman, the most important is to take care of your outlook. It is the best investment in your relationship. No matter what they say, men always remain impressed by visual observations. Make sure you please their eyes first, and the take care of the rest.

Men, on another side, don’t forget about ladies romantic side, start from picking gentle items from your suitcase, make sure you prepare your sweetheart to a night of joy and indulgence.

Hotel rooms are simply made to create intriguing and mystifying environment for your imagination to liven up your fantasies. There is no right or wrong way here, just follow your desires. Every personal touch matters. Relationship is about paying attention to your partner needs. We all have different views to sex and romance, but it is important that couples discuss this topic openly and make sure they understand what satisfies their partners.  Of course, still leaving a room for mystery and spontaneity.

Olga
www.happycoupleuk.com

There is Always an Alternative. Live in Harmony with Your Passions

Tags

Ideas for celebration, Ideas for weekend away, Marriage problems, Relationship advice

Photo by Jaci XII

Today I want to talk about a seemingly lifelong topic, where we have no chance of ever reaching a consensus. It is a conflict of male vs female interests (hobbies and habits). It has been around far too long for one to believe in other half’s abilities to do anything outside of their comfort zone. We strongly believe that women don’t like football (at least not to the same extent), and men almost hate ballet (or any theatrical performance all together). Why so often we allow this common misconception to interfere our happy being in harmony with our life partners. We base our further assumptions on it and accept that our spouse would not share our passion and therefore try to build our own life on the side making it an island of being our true self with no disruption allowed.

But that’s not the right.

Where does the idea of our habits and interests being radically opposite come from? I suppose, it has a bit of a historical context. Historically, men were supposed to be strong and brave, therefore they still think only they can drive the race cars or skydive! Well, I guess, already enough women proved them wrong! Women, on another side, got used to taking care of the household themselves, assuming male spouse would not be as good at it any way. Yet so many guys are actually willing to be involved and share those responsibilities. All they need is simply a little trust, positive attitude and support.

Don’t let these habits to root in your relationships. Stay open to each other’s ideas and don’t be reluctant in trying something new. It doesn’t hurt. You can always step back if you don’t like it and explain your partner how you feel about it. But if you argue prior to even considering any suggestion of your other half, they would close their inner world from you, turn away and never show their true character again.

Last week I tried to drag my husband to meditation session! If you heard his monologue of his prior to entering there… “What am I doing here? I don’t need this, I am in harmony with myself and don’t need meditation, this is probably some hook for the desperate people” and on and on and on. Two hours later, when we left, what I heard was “Why is that we’ve never done this before? You never told me it was so good (aha, I never did), I think we should do it more often”. Obviously 🙂

So, give it a try, whatever it is your partner is passionate about. Find something you both feel excited about doing together. Maybe it is something you’ve always dreamed of and never dared to share with you spouse. Now is the right time.

Here are some ideas of what to do if going to a restaurant sounds too familiar and boring option:

• Going to a sushi cooking workshop. Useful and entertaining time spending. In addition, quite yummy as you are allowed to eat everything you made, in the end.
• Horse riding (though it is definitely not for me. And I have tried it before making a conclusion! So, no judgement, but I am afraid of trying to control another creature which has brain of its own and would do whatever she thinks is right, first and after that possibly consider my safety)
• Scottish dancing. We’ve been a few times already and always come back with pleasure, as it is a lot of fun and positive energy
• An exhibition in the Institute of sexology.  Sounds intriguing
• Explore. Take a train somewhere you both have never been before, just agree on jumping on the first train appearing on the platform, and getting off at the third stop. Take a picnic hamper with you and enjoy yourselves wherever you end up being. Or take a bus. In London it is even more fun, taking the front seats on the first floor in the red bus and have a sightseeing tour to further areas of the city. There is always something new to explore here. I love it.
• Learn a language together. Like my in-laws took Italian classes recently :). Then you can travel to this country and practice together. In case of Italy, in addition you can taste plenty of amazing food and wine!

Sharing an experience together would draw you closer to each other and disclose yet unknown sides of your nature.

 

What is it You Need in an Ideal Vacation? A Few Tips on How to Be Best Prepared!

Tags

HappyCouple, Ideas for holiday, Romantic holiday, Vacation tips

As we recently came back from a holiday, let me talk about vacations a little. What is an ideal vacation for you? How you would like to spend those precious well deserved few days off work… By default, I usually want to cover plenty of activities at the same time. Sometimes I feel like two personalities fight within me – one loves active and dynamic life style, the other one would perfectly enjoy a week of lying at the sofa (maximum – with a book in my hand!) with no sign of blame whatsoever.

So, when choosing a holiday, the biggest concern that emerges is what personality to satisfy this time! In addition (the harder part) I need to harmonize it with my husband.

This time we both opted for a lazy option – beach, palms and all-inclusive package! What else is needed for happiness! As appeared – a few things! (Surely, the list fully depends on whether you are a man or a woman 🙂 !)

1. The first one and, by far, the most important – is “quality time” together (or how everybody else calls it – sex!) Guess whose priority is that… After a casual home habit of 3-4 times a week, the demand suddenly increases to twice a day! Better to be prepared to this 🙂
2. If this wasn’t enough – having a big (my way of calling it) photo camera, we shall take more pictures (taken, my husband has recently chosen photography for a hobby!). Hmm, obviously, the best pictures can be taken only when wearing bikini. Every situation or pose gets used against you!
3. Next one, from a woman’s perspective – I wanted to read a book and quietly enjoy the sunshine. Well… I could do so, but only while posing for another photo shoot, so none of us risked being bored, or course.
4. Again, to satisfy the point #1, we couldn’t eat too much at my favorite “eat as much as you want” restaurants! I was trying to apply a simple rule – the food will be still there tomorrow, your body shape will thank you for this. But didn’t always work…
5. Staying awake through half a night when the only thing you want to do is to sleep for 10 hours! But you are not going on holiday again in the nearest future, right? So you better enjoy this one fully and don’t miss a thing!
6. As it usually happens in the southern countries – everybody likes dancing which might even look sexy in the moonlight (or maybe it seems so after a few Pina Coladas)! Anyway, a good tip here – to take a few salsa classes before the next holiday 🙂
7. Be able to say “No” to another cocktail coming your way becomes a useful skill starting somewhere from day 3, again useful to satisfy the tip #1.
8. Being able to keep your activity level at least at the lowest minimum! Such resorts make you extremely lazy. Think about it, someone cooks for you, and brings the food to your seat, someone cleans for you, someone makes you a drink and so on and so forth. You can literally spend the whole day with not a single move! To avoid this, we managed to go on a bike ride once, and I did my water-aerobics (only because the trainer looked really hot 😉 )
9. Manage your expectations on the way home! The flight is actually long enough to remember your real life, and make sure you are ready to the routine again and not fall a victim of “vacation blues”, not sure though if this could be avoided.

Well, I hope you have some holiday plans in the nearest future, except for eating Christmas turkey with the family! I guess, at Christmas time, over-eating is one definite thing that cannot and should not be avoided! Enjoy! 🙂

SPA weekend

Tags

Ideas for celebration, Ideas for weekend away, SPA

What else can be so relaxing and recovering like a couple of days in the SPA.  Long weekend is more than suitable for this. Last weekend my husband and I decided to treat ourselves, switch off the daily routine and enjoy each other. The easiest way to do so is to go away – somewhere where the pressure of usual problems has no power. We chose a SPA resort package for couples – two days, one night, including massage for two and dinner. The place was just perfectly far from the city. One hour away it is based close to the seaside – in a very naturally rich area. Taking into account we’ve been living here for a few years – we have not seen the coast yet 🙂 So it was a perfect occasion to check it out.

We were pleasantly surprised by a cozy little town Clacton and surrounding areas. A park in our SPA hotel is just fantastic, a very peaceful and romantic place. Being away from the people and noisy flutter makes you feel alive like never before, it reminds us of our true selves, otherwise lost in the business of life.

Evening was perfectly planned with a glass of prosecco following by a dinner in an elegant and welcoming restaurant.
It is worth to mention an hour of effort from my side to look not just good, but stunning! Obviously my husband looked good as well as he always does 🙂 but somehow it takes him five times as less time as me.

Well, my specially brought dress, high heels and make-up were very appreciated not to say more!

We need to remember about those little things. They do make a difference. Of course, we both want to relax and the easiest would be to walk around wearing shorts and flip-flops… But it is not what romance is about. To get that sparkle between you back and feel like at the first date – this is what we should be expecting from each other. Therefore looking like at the first date is also important 🙂 It will be well paid off…